April 7, 2008 - In Christ's Huddle

As a coach I bring my team into a huddle in order to give them direction. I often will pull out my dry erase board and diagram it for them. I will tell each individual player what I expect for him to do.

Obviously the players have some responsibility there as well. They need to be attentive in the huddle and willing to execute what I diagram for them.

What would you think of a player that totally disregarded his coach’s instructions? It is not the type of player you’d want on your team, is it?

What type of “team-player” are you? Do you listen in the huddle?

Christ was very direct with his explanation of the “Gameplan” for each of us. It has not changed since He instituted it. Yet we continually need to be reminded of it. So let’s get back into Christ’s huddle.

18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. (Matthew 28)

Note that this is a very specific plan. He told us to “Go.” This is very clear that we are called to take the Gospel to people! Don’t misunderstand this. Too many of you are willing to “set the pick” to free up someone that is going but not willing to “go” yourself. What in the world am I talking about there? Too many have fallen victim to the reasoning that they can just give financially or pray for those that “go.” Don’t get me wrong, those are admirable things that you should do. But that doesn’t fully allow for you to fulfill the command made to you.

The word “go” there has the idea of “as you are going.” It is a command to all of us to be witnesses wherever we are at. And by witnesses it means actual mouthpieces. It is not just about being a good testimony.

We are also commanded there to “make disciples.” This means we should not stop at just sharing the Gospel message but we should also be involved in teaching God’s Word and Ways! How long have you been on God’s team? Are you busy teaching anyone? Or are you just a sponge that is being a benchwarmer?

In Christ’s huddle we are called to do some specific things. Are you gonna be a player or a benchwarmer?